This is a very fine watercolor painting featuring the distinctive profile of the dominant mountain in Marin County, California, just north of San Francisco, Mount Tamalpais. The artist was the very well listed watercolorist ALFRED VILLIERS FARNSWORTH (1858-1908). Farnsworth signed the painting at lower right and dated it there 1901. This view is from the north side, approximately near San Anselmo, looking south...

Small painting on a medium that might be jute fibers, 12 1/4" by 12 1/4" framed, possibly signed at lower right with initials or monogram, but essentially unreadable. The piece is very "Atomic Age" 1950's style and is doubtless of that period. Unfortunately over time there has been some abuse, and scattered losses cover a large portion of the painting, as shown...

ONE OF A NUMBER BY THE ARTIST IN MY SHOP**This is a small etching (the sheet 5 1/2" by 7 1/2", respectably matted but not framed), by the noted California artist HARRIET GENE ROUDEBUSH (1908-1998), titled at lower left margin "Sausalito" and pencil signed at lower right by the artist...

Large mixed media abstract painting (28 3/4" by 39 1/2", 31 3/4" by 42 1/2" in gold leaf frame) on plywood panel, signed at lower right "WAHL", and dated there 2001. The painting is striking and handsome, the color combinations very in tune with today's retro contemporary look. A brief search of the name does not immediately point to a known artist. Medium is perhaps a thinned oil or gouache possibly, with some pencil lines drawn as well...

Oil on canvas painting of the arcaded breezeways at the famous Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California, 8" by 10", unframed, signed with initials at lower right and possibly again by the artist on the reverse. In addition there is an original old slip of paper giving the artist's biography. Schmidt was born in Gladbeck, Westphalia, Germany after the end of World War I. By age 15 he was already receiving art instruction...

Watercolor painting of a young Native American girl of the Southwest, 17 1/2" by 14 3/4" (23 1/2" by 21" framed), signed at lower right (somewhat indecipherably) "Martchenko". This is a sensitive portrait by an obviously talented observer. Martchenko's works appear from time to time in Southern California. Born in Oregon, she studied under Sergei Bongart and at the Otis Art Institute. Portraiture seems to have been a favorite of the artist, in both oil and watercolor...

This is a beautifully executed work, watercolor and gouache on paper, 14 1/2" by 20 1/2" (21" by 27" as framed), signed at lower right by the noted English artist WILFRED KNOX (1884-1966). Knox is known for his marine art, such as clipper ships, but also for scenes around the British Isles and the luminous Venetian and Mediterranean coastal scenes with shipping and maritime subject matter as seen in this example...

Oil on canvas of a blue-eyed elderly lady wearing a white bonnet, 27" by 22" (34" by 29 1/2" in the 19th century frame), that attractive old frame bearing a placard giving the name of the artist as WILLIAM MATTHEW PRIOR (1806-1873). Images of the unsigned painting, which was found in Downeast Maine, were sent to major auction houses in New England and New York City. None disputed this being a work by the famous itinerant portraitist...

A very modernist drawing in oil on heavy paper, perhaps with some other media, over which some shiny varnish was subsequently applied. The subject is two young women with bright yellow faces and open mouths, in the midst of an apparently angst-filled argument or discussion, signed in Russian "BUK" or "BUKH" at lower right corner. The work measures 15" by 20" (20" by 26 1/2" in metal framing---photos show glass which is cracked and will be removed prior to shipping)...

This is a fine painting of the Christmas season flowering plant, the poinsettia, in ink, watercolor and gouache, 13 3/4" by 11", in simple metal framing, no mat, signed at lower left and inscribed to a friend there "with love to David and deepest feelings of appreciation", by the important American artist ABRAHAM RATTNER (1893-1978). Rattner was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. During World War I he was a camouflage artist, serving in some of the major battles of the war...

A fine watercolor drawing titled on placard "The Cantor", the image of an orthodox Jewish man, 4 5/8" by 3 5/8", 11" by 10" in attractive and very complementary black and silver framing (some lightly rubbed areas), signed at upper left corner by the important Jewish-Ukrainian artist, EMANUEL MANE-KATZ (1894-1962). The small but powerful work features a classic image that embodies Jewish tradition and culture. The artist was born in the Ukraine near the end of the 19th century...

Etching on paper laid on card, the subject a marketplace in the Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam, signed with "ML" initials and "927" as if a date (not the typical signature of the artist, apparently added later either by him or some other party). This is a work "Judenstrasse in Amsterdam", 1909, by famous German artist MAX LIEBERMANN (1847-1935)...

A fine little watercolor painting of a Vienna street scene, 4 3/4" by 6" (16" by 18 1/2" in attractive wood frame), signed at lower right by the noted artist FERI FERDINAND SCHWARZ (1869-1923). The scene is titled at lower left "WIEN--FASSZIEHERGASSE". The artist has worked at least seven tiny figures into the scene----mother and daughter at right, three children at center, with hoop, and two elderly figures. Schwarz was born in present-day Russia but is associated today with his works focusi...

PAIR of chromolithograph prints of California's famous Big Trees, published in 1873 by Louis Prang. Each print measures 14" by 7 1/4" (17 1/2" by 10 1/2" framed). The title of one is "Big Trees, Calaveras Grove" and the other "Redwood Trees, Santa Cruz Mountains", both after original paintings by listed nineteenth century American artist John R. Key. These are in rather typical condition, as these go----nearly 150 years old, they have some paper discoloration and entrenched soiling as would b...

An unusual and decorative circa 1930's unframed 16" by 20" oil on canvas painting featuring a beautiful young maiden centered in a tawny, mountainous Southwest landscape, Native Americans surrounding her, signed lower left rather illegibly. I have long studied the signature and believe it might be "Ben Mead", (1902-1986) who was a southwestern (Texas and California) artist-illustrator based in Amarillo and Dallas. Mead focused on illustration for publication. He studied at the Art Institute o...

A large clean lithograph print in the advanced naive style of acclaimed Jewish artist SHALOM OF SAFED (SHALOM MOSKOWITZ), 1895-1980. The imagery is colorful and comprehensive, featuring blue sky with clouds, architecture, figures, animals, and interiors, along with embedded messages in Hebrew. The Hassidic artist was a watchmaker by trade, and only late in life turned to his artistic talents. His original paintings have brought into five figures. He lived in Safed in the Galilee Hills for mos...

A fine color soft-ground etching and aquatint by the noted, prolific Czech master artist TAVIK FRANTISEK SIMON (1877-1942), featuring the famous and much-loved "bouquiniste" bookstalls along the Seine in Paris. The sheet measures 17 3/4" by 15 1/2" and 19 1/2" by 17 1/4" very nicely framed back in the 1950's or so in Chicago at Anderson Galleries (label on backing). The print is signed in pencil at lower right by the artist and numbered 48 in the lower left margin. Created in the year 1907 (a...

A fine contemporary 9" by 12" pastel (19" by 21 1/2" nicely framed) drawing titled "Mission Seating", of a sun-washed stone bench in the historic courtyard of Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California, signed at lower right by noted California Art Club artist KAY BONANNO (1935-). The work retains on the backing a label indicating that this work was exhibited in the spring of 1996 at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, California. The exhibition was named "Puertas del Santuario: Painti...

A still life painting of fruit on a table top, executed in the long tradition of hyper-realistic still life painting in the Netherlands, signed at lower right by listed Dutch 20th century artist JAN FREDRIK JOHANNES NAGTEGAAL (1920-2000). This artist is known for his contemporary paintings faithful to the formula of the Dutch masters going back to the 17th century. His still life works, a number of which have appeared at auctions, are known for a high level of detail and realism. Some larger ...

A dramatic black and white photograph of a forlorn old house, captured on a gray wet day in the dying steel town of Youngstown, Ohio, dated 1985, numbered at left 42/200 and pencil signed at lower right margin by noted American photographer and broadcast personality GARY FRANKLIN (1928-2007). The work measures 17" by 13 3/8" inside the innermost mat and 24" by 20 1/4" as framed. The dreary scene was captured by a talented photographer. Franklin was born in Leipzig, Germany of Jewish parentag...

Florine Hyer was an Iowa-born artist who became known for her exquisite paintings of roses. She was in Los Angeles by 1898, and remained there her entire life with the exception of the year 1908, when she assisted the botanist Luther Burbank at his home and gardens in Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County north of San Francisco. Burbank is reputed to have said, "Florine can paint roses better than gardens can grow them". This example is one of the works by the artist, an oil on canvas measuring 18" by 30...

An illustration art-style color drawing (ink and watercolor) of a pipe-smoking uniformed military officer, possibly a general or other top brass, surrounded by cupids playing with military equipment such as mobile guns, a drone bomb, etc., signed with a capital W in a circle at lower right. It has been suggested to me that this could be a British military colonel (I originally thought him American). The work, 15" by 10 3/4" (with a gold modern frame available at no extra cost (21" by 17 1/2") ...

Oil on canvas scene of two white swans in a small lake or pond in a rural area, 24" by 16" (29" by 21" in wide newer frame), signed in red "W W Caffyn" at lower right and dated there "96". This is a work by the noted British artist WALTER WALLOR CAFFYN (1845-1898), who exhibited at the Royal Academy. His paintings tend to be rural scenes of Sussex, Kent and Yorkshire. Caffyn's (mostly large) major works have exceeded $20,000 at auction in London. This painting is in excellent condition, wi...

This is an example of the large chromolithograph of the Grand Canyon, made after the famous painting by Thomas Moran, for the Santa Fe Railroad. The work measures 23 2/3" by 35" and the pleasing wood frame is 2 3/8" on a side. This example of this well-known print is offered in as-is condition, with most notably an approximately 1" across hole at lower left, and a number of areas of missing paper, showing in the images as white areas. Most likely, this occurred when the print stuck to the glass...

An original watercolor painting of the Arc du Carrousel in central Paris, 12" by 15 1/2" (18 1/4" by 21 1/2" framed), signed illegibly at lower right, (possibly, "F Lacoste"), circa late 20th century. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a triumphal arch in Paris, located in the Place du Carrousel. The ornate, impressive structure was built between 1806 and 1808 to commemorate Napoleon's military victories of the previous year. It is a familiar landmark in central Paris, surrounded by wide airy...

It has taken some research on the net to determine that this unusual item is apparently an early 20th century facsimile of an incunabula (pre 1500 printing) leaf from a book. JOHANN GRUENINGER (1455-1533) was a major, prolific early German printer and publisher, who developed an innovative method for illustrating books. This sheet on rag type paper measures 11" by 8". There is text in old Latin, and an image of the Trojan Horse outside of Troy, the soldiers entering his side. Note the vivid ...

An impressive oil on Masonite landscape painting, unframed, 26" by 33", signed at lower left twice, by listed Swiss artist MAX EMANUEL HUBER (1903-1987). The work clearly shows the influence of Cezanne's fractured planes technique. Huber executed a number of impressionist works, and some have this more modernist technique, with which he clearly experimented. The artist is sometimes mixed up with Swiss modern artist Max Huber (1919-1992); the latter's paintings are much more abstract and conte...

This is an original 1924 etching, from the series of 55 etchings by the artist, in the book "Dingo", published that year by Ambroise Vollard Editeur. The edition was 350. "Dingo" featured dogs and their unique habits and characteristics. This image is adorable, and accurately illustrates how dogs interact with one another---the black dog at left lifting his right paw, the white sheep dogs on their guard, sniffing out the newcomer to their territory. The print measures 13 1/2" by 10 3/4" (she...

PAIR of pencil drawings, one titled "The Customs House London" (1820) and the other a botanical still life, both bearing the original auction stickers and labels from the Sotheby's London sale of October 9, 1996. The Customs House work measures 10 1/2" by 7 7/8" inside the mat. It is signed "By Thom. S. Boys" at lower left and titled "The Custom House London 1820" at right. The thin, delicate paper of that drawing is rumpled/crinkled a bit at upper left and there is a little bit of discolorat...

Watercolor on quality paper, 7 3/4" by 11", 10 1/4" by 13 3/4" as framed, the subject the famous and iconic symbol of the Santa Fe and Taos region of northern New Mexico, the sanctuary near the town of Chimayo. The art is titled at lower left margin and dated there 2004, and signed "Benke" or similar at lower right. Condition is excellent. A decorative little item if you're looking for something that reminds you of your trip to that scenic and history-filled region of the country.

Oil on canvas still life painting, including a red teapot, plates, funnel, cup, and fruit, all on a striped table cloth with further drapery in the background, 20" by 24", unsigned on front and bearing the name "H. HOWARD" and date "OCT. 74" on the stretcher. There is an African-American artist by the name Humbert Howard but this work does not resemble the work I see out there on the net. The artist, whoever he or she was, obviously was trained and understood perspective, composition, color, a...

Watercolor painting of famous Notre Dame and the bookstalls lining the Seine River, 18 3/4" by 24 3/4" (26 3/4" by 32 3/4" framed), signed at lower right by the noted contemporary French impressionist artist LUCIEN DELARUE (1925-2011). Delarue was born in Paris and studied at the Grand Chaumiere, including some time with Yves Brayer. His work was promoted widely at mid century, with gallery exhibitions in New York and San Francisco. He is known today for oil and watercolor paintings of familia...

Oil on thin linen canvas or possibly silk, 17" by 21" as simply framed, unsigned, probably circa 1930's to 1950's, the subject red and white roses. This was of course a favorite subject from about the turn of the century well into the twentieth, and today this kind of art is favored by those creating a shabby chic look. The present work has some wrinkling/rippling in the creamy unpainted background, as seen in the photos. Excuse the sharp angles, as I was trying without success to minimize th...

Sold as a PAIR, are watercolors of the tourist district of New Orleans by listed artist N. LUCKOW. Each measures 5 3/4" by 7 3/4" (11 3/4" by 12 3/4" as framed). One is titled on the mat "In the VIeux Carre", the other simply "In the French Quarter". One is in excellent condition with glass, the other has no glass and as a result of that the mat has become torn at lower left and at lower right. However because of the title the artist has written on that mat, you might want to carefully prese...

Black ink on paper drawing, 8 1/4" by 10 1/2", unframed, signed in the center of the image and dated in the image at lower left center "7 26 1999", and titled in the lower margin "TRUCK PLATE", by the noted contemporary sculptor, ceramicist, designer and painter PETER SHIRE (1947-). This complex modern drawing is imaginative, colorful, three dimensional, and whimsical, and could only have been created by a true artist. Shire was becoming known on the art scene with his now famous teapot sculptur...

A fine color soft-ground etching and aquatint by the noted, prolific Czech master artist TAVIK FRANTISEK SIMON (1877-1942), featuring the famous and much-loved "bouquiniste" bookstalls along the Seine in Paris, Notre Dame in the mid background. The original sheet measures 15 7/8" by 20 1/8". The print is signed in pencil at lower right by the artist and bears number "329" in the lower left margin. According to the catalogue raisonne of the artist's graphic work, this work, titled "Quai Saint Mic...